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TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries, a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. TechnoServe work is rooted in the idea that, given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, TechnoServe believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives. (see www.technoserve.org).

45 years after its establishment, TechnoServe remains a dynamic and forward-looking organization committed to bringing together world-class business expertise and local knowledge in order to solve the challenges of poverty in the developing world. At the same time, we remain firmly grounded in the daily realities of the people with whom we work. As TechnoServe continues to evolve, we will look to our brand to help us stay true to these principles.

TechnoServe Mission

We work with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries.

Our Vision

We will be the most effective catalyst and partner for transformative, on-the-ground, market-based solutions to poverty.

TechnoServe Updated Brand.

TechnoServe recently updated its brand, an exercise which represents the culmination of an effort, over the course of a year and a half, to examine its brand in parallel with strategic planning – a wide-ranging review of who we are, what we do and where we’re going. As TechnoServe evolves and progresses, it is critical to remain relevant and vital. The elements of the brand – mission, vision, values, logo and key messages – are a living and accurate reflection of what TechnoServe is today.

TechnoServe New Logo

Meaning Behind the Logo

TechnoServe’s new logo represents elements that are critical to our vision.

• The leaf highlights our deep expertise in agriculture while also representing the concepts of growth and transformation.

• The circular shape of the icon demonstrates the role that TechnoServe plays as a catalyst, promoting continuous improvement within industries.

• The interplay between the separate pieces of the circle represents the importance of partnership in our work.

• The position of the icon suggests progress and a forward-looking perspective.

• And the two colors in TechnoServe’s name give equal emphasis to our technical expertise and our history of service across the world.

Philosophy: Private enterprises can drive economic growth and positive social change; a hand up is better than a handout. Our programs revolve around helping people capitalize on good business opportunities that benefit the poor, by generating jobs and markets for their products and services.

History:

Founded in 1968 by Connecticut (USA) businessman Ed Bullard, who pioneered the private-enterprise approach to solving poverty. His work was guided by two core principles: the power of private enterprise to transform people’s lives, and the lasting value of providing a hand up rather than a handout.

These principles have remained at the heart of TechnoServe’s efforts, even as our work has evolved to focus on improving livelihoods on a larger scale, to transform entire communities and countries.

Approach: Building businesses and industries

Analyze the business opportunity: Identify a high potential industry that can support scalable and replicable businesses that benefit the poor, and the point (s) along the value chain where intervention can be most effective.

Identify the entrepreneur: Find someone with business aptitude and the drive and determination necessary to succeed.

Develop the business: Provide support through awards of cash prize money and tailored technical assistance to help the business implement its innovative idea.

Define and scale up to expand impact: Improve the business model based on experience and use it to launch or expand more businesses within the industry.

Improve the business environment: Assist industry (e.g., via industry association) to promote regulations and policies that improve the business environment.

Staff: Talented business advisors, many of them former management consultants or industry experts.

Partners: Leverage the expertise of strategic corporate, non-profit and government partners.